"God Knows, We Could Sure Use the Money."

After admitting to keeping me waiting in order to watch the end of the Red Sox Season Opener from Japan, this week the Mayor fields questions on the recent rejection by the House of Governor Patrick's casino proposal, parking in downtown, and the pay scale of Chicopee's police department as compared to others in the region. Listen to the whole 'cast here or make the jump for the specific questions and answers from Mayor Bissonnette.

Before jumping into this week's questions, the Mayor gave his thoughts on the Red Sox 6-5 opener against the A's in Japan and also had some good news to the tune of $5 million for first time homebuyers in Chicopee.

First I asked the Mayor if he agreed with Governor Patrick's comment regarding House Speaker Sal DiMasi's handling of last week's casino proposal vote. With no debate on the subject, Patrick felt DiMasi "strong armed" the situation. Mayor Bissonnette felt similarly.

Question two came from Walter Leiper, Jr: Any chance of the city buying the closed Market Square billards & bar, tearing it down and creating a much needed parking lot for Chicopee Center?

And finally, Audrey Ishler provided the last question: Chicopee's town government (backed by the Mayor) approved raises for the Mayor and others because other towns pay a higher amount and they felt Chicopee should do the same. What about other workers in town, like the police officers. Are you aware they are one of the lowest, if not the lowest, paid in Western Massachusetts?